Purpose
The Zoning Advisory Commission specifically makes recommendations to the City Council on applications for rezoning, subdivision plat approval, and text amendments to the Unified Development Code. In reviewing applications, the Zoning Advisory Commission takes input from applicants, neighboring property owners, citizens, and City staff.

The commission members review the applications in terms of their impact on the neighborhood, community, environment and the City’s utilities and transportation systems. The commission’s recommendations are forwarded to the City Council and the Zoning Advisory Chair presents the commission’s recommendations with the assistance of Planning Services staff, at a public hearing with the City Council.

Background
In Iowa, the authority to establish and implement zoning regulations rests with local governments. All larger cities within the State and many of Iowa’s smaller communities have adopted zoning ordinances to enhance both public and private investments, to improve the quality of life, and to protect the local environment. Chapter 414 of the Iowa Code is the instrument that delegates zoning authority to cities of the State. This chapter gives cities broad discretion to separate incompatible land uses and direct future development.

Within the framework provided by Chapter 414, cities are free to choose whether to have zoning. Cities that adopt zoning have the freedom needed to structure their local zoning ordinances in the most suitable way to meet local needs.